Field Hockey: Terriers Set to Host University of New Hampshire

Featured image by Jenny Chen

By Celine Cheung

The Boston University Terriers (4-4, 1-1 PL) are facing their regional rivals, The University of New Hampshire Wildcats (3-4), this Sunday at New Balance Field. 

This season, New Hampshire has a 2-2 record on away games, while the Terriers have a 3-3 record on home games, giving neither team a field advantage. However, historically, BU has a 26-20-3 winning record against UNH, stretching back to September 1978, which includes a 17-7-2 home advantage and a 0-4 losing streak in the past four games. Sunday’s match will be the 50th meeting between the Terriers and the Wildcats.

This season, UNH defeated Providence College, with a score of 4-3 in an overtime win. BU, however, lost to Providence in the second overtime, with a score of 2-3, during their first game of the season.

This past Sunday, the Wildcats beat Dartmouth College in a 3-2 second overtime victory. It was the second game this season where UNH reached overtime. Junior captain Kathelijne Knuttel scored to secure the win in both games. Knuttel has scored 8 goals so far this season.

Against Dartmouth, Wildcat goalkeeper Abby Johnson saved 3 goals. Johnson is backed by the strength of UNH defense as she faced zero shots on goal during both overtime plays.

BU senior forward Caroline O’Brien is a player to watch after she scored the game-winner in last Friday’s game against the College of Holy Cross. She leads the team with six goals so far this season.

BU’s defense will have to stand its ground against the tough UNH midfield, which is led by Knuttel. However, the Terriers have a star goalkeeper, Sophie Ortyl, to protect the goal. She had her second season shutout in last Sunday’s game. In addition to her skill, the shutout was a credit to the strong Terrier defense, as Ortyl only faced one shot on goal. 

The Terriers will face the Wildcats on Sep 28th at 1p.m. at New Balance Field. Streaming will be available on ESPN+.